Monthly Archives: March 2017

American rock act CKY (Chad I Ginsburg, Jess Margera and Matt Deis) have signed to Entertainment One Music (US) and Longbranch Records (Europe), and will release a new full-length album this summer.

‘We are thrilled to be working with one of the most progressive record labels in the music business today,” states vocalist Chad I Ginsburg. ”CKY are looking forward to a long partnership in great music for the entire world with eOne/Long Branch!’

The new yet to be titled LP will be the first release since the band put out Carver City in 2009.

CKY just announced a slew of UK tour dates right before returning to the US for the 2017 Vans Warped Tour. This is the band’s first time returning to the Warped Tour since 2000.

The band plan to debut new songs from their upcoming album, check them out on one of the following dates:

2017 will be a massive year for CKY, who have sold north of a million albums over the course of their nearly-20-year career. Fans can expect new music and more tour dates from a band that is re-energised and refreshed, and emerging with a career-defining effort that will prove to be worth the wait.

Chad I Ginsburg, the band’s guitarist and singer, steps into the frontman role with charisma, charm, and bravado, confidently delivering a diverse performance as he claims a position that was clearly rightfully his to own.

He’s joined in enduring partnership and musical and personal chemistry by fellow CKY cofounder, Jess Margera, the drummer whose extracurricular work in projects like The Company Band (with guys from Clutch and Fireball Ministry) expanded CKY’s horizons as much as Ginsburg’s solo work has as well. The duo returned to their primary project refreshed and reenergized, with bassist Matt Deis (ex-All That Remains), who first joined CKY in 2005.

Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and Deftones have all personally invited CKY on tour, cementing a legacy as a hard-charging live act. CKY built a worldwide fanbase of dedicated acolytes, friends, and supporters, lovingly dubbed the CKY Alliance, with a broader group of musicians, athletes, and other creative types in the CKY family, both literally and figuratively.

‘We’re grown adults now with an eagle-eye perspective on who we are, what we do, and how to do it right,” Ginsburg declares, with matter-of-fact certainty. “None of us are out there in the clouds. We’re pretty well-grounded people that have an honest perspective on where we’re at.’

Sikth are back! The Watford mathcore sextet that stumbled upon a sound unexplored, who devised their own Morse code of metal – one that mushroomed into labyrinthine detours and tangents, that ultimately lead to the birth of the djent metal, the band’s whose legacy gave the inspiration for bands like Protest The Hero, TesseracT, Animals As Leaders and Periphery after their hiatus in 2007, are back,with what will be, one of the finest albums of 2017 – The Future In Whose Eyes? The band also released the first track from the album, Vivid.

Due to be released on 2nd June on Millennium Night, the newly created label imprint from Snapper Music, home of Peaceville Records & Kscope. SikTh, one of the Great British pioneers that have shaped heavy music over the years, have revealed their first full length studio album since 2006’s classic Death Of A Dead Day. Dan Weller, SikTh’s guitarist and producerproudly states ‘Ever since SikTh was formed way back at the turn of the century we’ve tried to self improve as musicians and as song writers. We take our music very seriously.

‘This record feels like the one we’ve always wanted to make. We spent over a year writing it and pushed ourselves extremely hard – sometimes too hard. Opacities was the rebirth of SikTh but ‘The Future…’ is our statement – I want this album to define us. I don’t care how over ambitious it sounds – we want this record to be heard by every metal fan on the planet.’

SikTh vocalist & lyricist Mikee W Goodman adds ‘Personally I feel this is our best album yet. From my point I have written all vocals and lyrics.

‘I have taken myself to some very dark places, commentated on this world as I see it. Also swimming into fictional worlds and dreamscapes.

‘There are some beautiful moments. The band have made incredible music, brutal, technically warped mixed with some psychedelic moments. I think we’ve done something special here.’

Anathema are premiering the first track from their forthcoming new studio album The Optimist entitled Springfield.

Daniel Cavanagh explains the song choice ‘Here we present the song ‘Springfield’, it’s actually the song that closed our unforgettable Wembley gig with Opeth and it seemed to be a track that just fell into place without much effort.

It seemed to do itself. The song forms part of a narrative that runs through The Optimist album, it’s a narrative that begins where A Fine Day To Exit left off.

The album is a journey. The songs are ambiguous. There is no right or wrong way to take them. Make of them what you will.’

Anathema’s eleventh full-length The Optimist is due for release on 9th June through Kscope, where the ambient rockers will reveal some of the darkest, most challenging and unexpected music the sextet have put their name to.

Anathema, led by brothers Daniel and Vincent Cavanagh, along with drummer John Douglas, singer Lee Douglas, bassist Jamie Cavanagh and drummer/keyboardist Daniel Cardoso began recording The Optimist in the winter of 2016 at Attica Audio in Donegal, Ireland and then finished at Castle Of Doom studios in Glasgow with producer Tony Doogan [Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian, Super Furry Animals] at the helm and was mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.

The Optimist will be released on the following formats and all are available to pre-ordered now here.

The free track comes a week ahead of BEAR‘s highly-anticipated third full-length album /// which is set for release on 7 April 2017 via Basick Records.

‘We thought that you might enjoy a taste of what to expect from our new album, so we’re giving away, yes you read it right: GIVING AWAY, one of the tracks on ///.

”Childbreaker’ embodies what /// is all about: crazy, heavy grooves mixed with catchy, gritty vocals. The only thing you have to do is send us a private video of you humping a teddybear.

‘Or just download it here for free! The choice is yours!”, commented guitarist Leander Verheyen Tsjakalov. ‘/// is BEAR’s most evocative and vitriolic album to date, comprising of 11 blistering tracks of crushingly heavy rhythms, distorted harmonies and demonic growls. Bearing resemblance to tech metal forerunners Meshuggah and the no-nonsense aggression of The Dillinger Escape Plan, BEAR have a stylistic quality to them and this album is the exact embodiment of that.

After releasing their last album Noumenon in 2013, the band spent considerable time on the road throughout the UK and Europe, including appearances at UK Tech-Metal Festival, Euroblast and Groezrock.

Make sure to check out and download ‘Childbreaker’ and stay tuned for more in the days to come.

Toronto based alternative band Knifey have just released their new single Tanlines. The band are calling out for a more simple life free from the tedious complications of the modern world and they hope that you’ll them. The band started recording their upcoming album, out later this year, back in September 2016 but now they are set to record another four songs in April to add to it. Listen to Tanlines below!

We caught up with the band as they talked about their latest single, new music and more!

So how has the release of Tanlines gone so far?

We are really liking all the support so far! It’s always awesome to see people react in such a positive way to something you’ve created.

Can you tell us a little bit about the track

Well, Tanlines ended up being a real collaborative effort between Phil and Max, both lyrically and musically. It’s not surprising then that it turned out to be a pretty good compromise between the different extremes that the band experiences in their music and in everyday life. It has a frustrated energy behind it, and yet is helplessly nostalgic/romantic at points. Much of the song is about the vastly different emotions one experiences on carefree drives in the deep summer versus claustrophobic streetcar rides in the dead of winter. Like always, there’s a girl involved.

Can you tell us anything about the upcoming album?

We actually started recording the album back in September 2016, and will be going in to complete the last 4 songs in April. It’ll be 8 song in total. We’re actually really excited about the material we’re putting down in this session, and think our best work is ahead of us. There’s no concept really, but it’s got some enduring and relatable themes like being drunk, and driving around with the windows down (but not at the same time!). We think it’s got a good beach rock vibe to it. No title yet.

If you could work with any band on new music, who would it be and why?

Selfishly, I’d love to write and record with Noel Gallagher, firstly because he’s awesome, and secondly (and more importantly) because Phil can’t stand Oasis (hehe). But more realistically, we’d probably look to work with someone like Brand New, Vampire Weekend, or Modest Mouse if we had the chance.

What got you guys in to music in the first place?

Well, I (I’m Max by the way) can only speak for myself, but I remember moments when I just thought playing a guitar was the coolest thing ever. Back then it was mostly listening to Blink and Sum 41, but then you dive into more classic stuff and start expanding into new genres. After buying a guitar, I just loved the synergy and connection you forge when you play a song with friends. It’s also just great to have something challenging you can practice at and get better at every day. When you get to play songs and see people in the crowd rocking out, it’s the best feeling in the world. Yes, I know that was like four answers, but I’m sure the other guys had a similar experience.

What were your first ever gigs you went to?

Max’s first gig was Greenday at the ACC on the American Idiot tour. Phil’s first gig was Linkin Park. Kyle saw Great Big Sea first at Warped Tour, and Ammar saw RHCP. What a time to be alive.

Will you be touring at all this year?

Well, we’re thinking mostly about recording at the moment. That being said, we are hoping to do a 401 tour in southern Ontario and possible Montreal this summer, but we’ve got nothing planned at the moment. The goal until then is to keep playing in and around the GTA. We’ve got a couple great shows in the works, including April 18 at Silver Dollar with Zoobombs.

What do you get up to in your spare time?

Collectively: TV, going to shows, watching hockey, refreshing the same old websites continually until we die. The usual stuff. Oh, and of course a healthy dose of drinking.

What has been your proudest moment to date?

We recently had our first single ‘Sophie’ (released back in November) put on the ‘Punk Unleashed’ playlist on Spotify. I think we were all super excited to even be on Spotify in the first place, but then to see our music alongside the likes of bands we love like Wavves, PUP, SWMRS, and the Dirty Nil was awesome. Apart from that, we’ve played some great shows to great audiences in Toronto lately. There’s nothing like talking to fans after the show and sharing a couple drinks.

Following an appearance on NBC’s The Voice Season 3 and a successful touring career opening and playing for Atlantic Records recording artist Melanie Martinez, singer/guitarist Mike Squillante formed The Running Lights in the summer of 2015 with his brother Nick. The trio has since released four well received live covers, garnering over 50,000 views while targeting Mike’s substantial YouTube fan base. The band will be releasing an EP to follow their single Once Upon A Time (released on 31st March) in late April.

We caught up with the band as they talk about their new single, new music and more!

How has the release of ‘Once Upon A Time’ gone so far?

Nick: It’s been great so far! We’re getting a really positive reaction to the song. It’s amazing to see something we’ve worked hard on be received well. Now we just can’t wait to put the EP out!

Tell us a little bit about the single

Mike: “Once Upon A Time” is basically a fairy tale love story in reverse. The person in the song is a hopeless romantic. He or she can visualize their entire love story before it ever actually happens. The one thing he or she can’t figure is how to begin said love story. He or she doesn’t have the confidence or courage to be anything but a secret admirer, watching and waiting for the beginning to their happy ending.

Can you tell us anything about the upcoming EP?

Mike: All the songs on the forthcoming EP have to do with this general theme of saying what’s on your mind WHEN it’s on your mind. There are plenty of people out there who may be missing out on the fullness of life. I think we’ve all been that person at least once, unhappy with where we are, knowing what it would take to get to that happy place, but never taking the first step because we’re too afraid to do so. So, our message is basically to not let a moment go by without striving to get the most out of that moment. Life is short! Sonically, imagine that John Mayer joined The Chainsmokers and their favorite band is The 1975.

How much does it mean to you when fans listen to your music?

Mike: It means EVERYTHING to us. Being artists in a band is a tough job, especially in 2017. When your job is based in passion it means so much more to have people affected in any way by what you do. These songs are the product of many long days and sleepless nights, perfecting the sound and songwriting. So anyone, anywhere who takes the time to listen is basically our new best pal.

Steve: We’ll love you for it.

If you could work with any artist or band, who would it be and why?

Nick: We’re big fans of Zedd’s production. He’s a frontrunner of chord-based electronic production and we take a lot of cues from him when we’re working on stuff.

Mike: And Julian Bunetta, who did all the One Direction stuff, is another producer/writer we’re super influenced by. Say what you want about One Direction, but those are some damn catchy songs with fantastic writing and production value. Working on a few tracks with him would be a dream come true. It’s like he re-created what pop/rock is.

What has been your proudest moment to date?

Nick: That would be the day I finished mixing this upcoming EP. We went back and forth a lot getting these tunes to sounds right. The day we took our hands off of it was extremely fulfilling!

What has been your funniest moment while recording your EP?

Steve: Probably my outbursts if I happened to mess up while recording! It’s all been captured. I think Mike and Nick have a folder full of hilarious samples of me screaming behind the kit.

Will there be a tour with the release?

Mike: We’re planning to do some small-scale acoustic touring later in 2017. Like coffee shop vibe. Being a new band, we feel that it’s important to be able to connect on a face-to-face level with fans of our music. We wanna come to town, play a small show, then get to know and hang with our fan base as much as possible in this early part of the band’s life. Then we wanna come back and blow the doors off a venue with a full-scale show. Right now the dates we have are all in New York City. We’ll be at Pianos on April 20th, and Rockwood Music Hall on May 24th!

Currently on the road supporting Pulled Apart By Horses on a hefty string of UK tour dates, Brighton alt-noise-pop trio Tigercub are very pleased to announce their biggest headline show to date at Dingwalls, London on 6th June 2017.

The band are also pleased to reveal that new single Memory Boyis out now, already picking up airplay and support from Huw Stephens at BBC Radio One, John Kennedy at Radio X and many more.

It is the latest track to be taken from their critically acclaimed debut albumAbstract Figures in The Dark which is out now and available to purchase via Alcopop! Records: www.ilovealcopop.co.uk

The news comes following an already extensive period of touring for the band who recently hit the road with legendary post-punks The Fall and Brighton contemporaries Black Peaks throughout the UK, as well as a stint of EU headline dates on which the band were targeted by petty criminals:

‘Towards the end of the EU headline tour in Paris we had our van broken into outside of the venue and lost three bags, one of which contained a week’s worth of footage that we were filming whilst on the road and at shows.

‘We retrieved the CCTV footage and put together an ‘artist’s rendition’ of what happened on that tour.’